Indians Prospect Insider

The Venezuelan Winter League got underway last night, the first international winter ball league in action. A few Cleveland players (past and present) were in action, but none topped what Francisco Lindor did in the Arizona Fall League, as the shortstop put on a show. Join Jim Piascik as he recaps all the action from across the globe on Thursday and takes you Around the Farm.

Katy Perry will perform at halftime of this year's Super Bowl. Good or bad idea? In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on JJ Hardy's contract extension, two Indians coaches up for managerial jobs, an update on James Shields, and more.

Over the next several weeks the IBI's Tony Lastoria will be providing year-end pieces like this for all of the Indians six minor league affiliates. With comments on 20-25 players for each team, these pieces are being broken up into two parts. In today's second part of his Mahoning Valley review, Tony had a chance to sit down with Indians Assistant Director of Player Development Carter Hawkins to get the organization’s thoughts on the performance/development of some of the pitchers there such as Sean Brady, Juan Santana, Cameron Hill, Julian Merryweather, J.P. Feyereisen, David Speer, Kieran Lovegrove and many others...

Welcome to the third annual edition of the IBI Awards! At the end of every year, we here at IBI vote on various categories relating to Cleveland baseball as we continue looking back on 2014 ahead of our 2015 offseason coverage. Today is the fourth installment of the IBI Awards, the Least Valuable Pitcher. There was some debate at the top of the list, but in the end, one pitcher stood alone. Join Jim Piascik and the rest of IBI to see the results after the jump.

Night two in the Arizona Fall League lost a bit of its glamour with Francisco Lindor sitting on the bench, but that did not mean the night was boring. We all know Jordan Smith’s previous problems with power, but that was not present Wednesday. Join Jim Piascik as he breaks down Smith’s power outburst and much more as he takes you Around the Farm.

The American League Championship Series is growing closer and both the Royals and Orioles will look to reach the World Series for the first time in over two decades. The IBI's Jay Frierson notes their looming matchup, the Indians payroll situation for next year, and more...

Over the next several weeks the IBI's Tony Lastoria will continue to provide year-end pieces like this for all of the Indians six minor league affiliates. With comments on 20-25 players for each team, these pieces are being broken up into two parts. In today's first part of his Mahoning Valley review, Tony had a chance to sit down with Indians Assistant Director of Player Development Carter Hawkins to get the organization’s thoughts on the performance/development of some of the position players there such as Bradley Zimmer, Francisco Mejia, Steven Patterson, Greg Allen, Taylor Murphy and more.

Welcome to the third annual edition of the IBI Awards! At the end of every year, we here at IBI vote on various categories relating to Cleveland baseball as we continue looking back on 2014 ahead of our 2015 offseason coverage. Today is the third installment of the IBI Awards, the Least Valuable Hitter. Unlike in the voting for Most Valuable Hitter and Most Valuable Pitcher, the vote was not unanimous, so join Jim Piascik and the rest of IBI to see the results after the jump.

The Arizona Fall League kicked off another season in the desert on Tuesday. The IBI's Tony Lastoria also descended upon the desert on Tuesday to take in some action. His thoughts on what he sees will come at a later date, but for now the IBI's Arthur Kinney takes a look at the good starts in the AFL for Francisco Lindor, Jordan Smith and Nick Maronde.

Indians president Mark Shapiro did an interview with Crain’s magazine on Tuesday on the state of the team and the plans he and Chris Antonetti have going into the offseason. The IBI's Jay Frierson recaps what Shapiro said about the current state of the team and their plans for the offseason.

The Indians went into spring training last year with a major question mark at third base. Fast forward 162 games later, and while Lonnie Chisenhall had a solid overall showing this season, his inconsistency both offensively and defensively leaves the Indians with a big question going into next season: Who is on third base? IBI newcomer Sam Camp makes his site debut with a look at the potential options to fill the third base void.

Welcome to the third annual edition of the IBI Awards! At the end of every year, we here at IBI vote on various categories relating to Cleveland baseball as we continue looking back on 2014 ahead of our 2015 offseason coverage. Today is the second installment of the IBI Awards, the Most Valuable Pitcher. Just like in the Most Valuable Hitter, a singular name stood out. To see where everyone not named Corey Kluber ranked, join Jim Piascik and the rest of IBI after the jump.

Fall is settling in as the temperatures begin to get cooler. Are you prepared for it? In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the uncertainty surrounding the Detroit Tigers for next season, the Twins received permission to interview another managerial candidate, a possible trade partner for Giancarlo Stanton, and more.

With the offseason here there is going to be a lot of wishing, praying, hoping and demanding for the Indians to sign certain free agents, trade certain players and try and trade for others and change the roles of some players. Such is life during the Hot Stove season, a season which will kick off in just a few weeks shortly after the conclusion of the World Series. The IBI's Tony Lastoria looks at the rampant speculation that Jason Kipnis will move off second base and explains why he will stay put at the start of the 2015 season.

Welcome to the third installment of the IBI Awards! At the end of every year, we here at IBI vote on various categories relating to Cleveland baseball as we continue looking back on 2014 ahead of our 2015 offseason coverage. Today is the first installment of the IBI Awards, the Most Valuable Hitter. Unsurprisingly, one name stood above the rest, but to see how the rest of the votes fell out, join Jim Piascik and the rest of IBI after the jump.

The American League Championship Series is set as both the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals finished off sweeps of the Angels and Tigers to advance a step closer to the World Series. The IBI's Jay Frierson recaps the action from Sunday as well as the news and notes from around the leagues.

The WAR Room is back again, bringing you the 2014 advanced stats for every Cleveland minor leaguer. With the minor league seasons at an end, we continue bringing you seasons in review, with today's featuring the 2014 Akron RubberDucks. This week we focus on the pitchers, with Jim Piascik breaking down the solid seasons of Joe Colon and Will Roberts, the dominant relief pitching of Shawn Armstrong and Giovanni Soto, and much more.

The Indians missed the playoffs but all was not lost this past season for them as they had many key developments and breakout performances throughout their roster. IBI newcomer Graydon Fox chimes in with his eight reasons that this past season was not a total loss for the team and that it was actually a productive year that sets them up well for 2015.

The Indians are once again home for the postseason. After just missing the playoffs there is some disappointment in their step back from an exciting 2013 campaign that saw them reach the playoffs. But IBI newcomer Kevin Sledz says that one big area the Indians received a lot of answers this season was in the starting rotation and that it sets them up well to compete for years to come.

Will you be watching college football or playoff baseball today? In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the Braves retaining manager Fredi Gonzalez, another Indians coach is up for a managerial job, an update on the DBacks managerial search, and more.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!